Textile Actuator Geometry for Wearable Joint Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional actuators are heavy, restrictive, and visible, making them unsuitable for wearable applications, especially for assisting movements in a non-invasive and comfortable manner.
Innovation Solution
Development of textile actuators with a fluid-impermeable bladder or structure integrated into a textile envelope, providing a predetermined geometry that allows displacement through changes in shape rather than stretching, enabling lightweight, comfortable, and non-restrictive wearable robots that assist body segment movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional electromagnetic or rigid hydraulic actuators are used, then actuation force and reliability are improved, but weight and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators that use compressed air to generate actuation force, replacing traditional electromagnetic or hydraulic systems. The pneumatic system provides sufficient force for gait assistance while significantly reducing weight and improving comfort for wearable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible textile envelopes and thin-walled pneumatic structures to contain the pressurized air. These flexible shells provide the necessary structural integrity for force generation while maintaining low weight and high compliance, enabling comfortable wearable integration.
2Force
If traditional actuators are used, then actuation capability is improved, but wearability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible textile envelopes and thin-walled structures that conform to body contours, providing comfort and wearability. These flexible shells distribute pressure evenly and allow natural body movement while maintaining actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic actuator system is divided into multiple independent chambers or segments that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for localized actuation matching specific gait phases and body movements, improving both comfort and operational effectiveness.
3Weight of moving object
If soft fluidic actuators are used, then weight and compliance are improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite structures combining flexible textile materials with rigid reinforcing elements. The textile envelope provides flexibility and comfort, while embedded rigid structures (such as carbon fiber or metal rods) provide structural stability and prevent excessive deformation during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the flexible shell with optimized wall thickness and geometric reinforcement to maintain structural integrity. The thin-walled structure contains the pressurized fluid effectively while the shell's geometry and material properties prevent buckling and maintain stable configuration during operation.
4Reliability
If textile actuators with predetermined geometry are used, then mechanical stop and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-designed geometric features in the textile envelope and pneumatic chamber that create predetermined equilibrium states and mechanical stops. These features are built into the structure during manufacturing, allowing the actuator to naturally limit its own displacement and prevent over-extension without requiring additional control systems or sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The textile actuators provide efficient and comfortable assistance to body segments, allowing for discreet and effective support, reducing the stigma associated with using assistive devices and offering a lightweight, low-profile solution for various applications, including gait assistance and upper limb support.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid is delivered into or out of the chamber to displace the textile envelope primarily by transitioning from an uninflated state to the pre-determined geometry
Data Source
AI summary
A textile actuator worn by a user comprises a textile envelope that defines a chamber made fluid-impermeable by a fluid-impermeable bladder contained in the textile envelope and/or a fluid-impermeable structure incorporated into the textile envelope. The textile envelope has a pre-determined geometry that produces an equilibrium state at a non-180°-angle displacement and that stops further displacement upon pressurization of the chamber and prevents over-extension of the joint. A fluid is delivered into or out of the chamber to displace the textile envelope primarily by transitioning from an uninflated state to the pre-determined geometry due to displacement of the textile envelope rather than via stretching or contraction of the textile envelope. When actuated, the textile actuator (a) displaces a body segment of the user and/or (b) supports and holds the body segment of the user in place.